Nozzle



July 2s, 1953 J. H. COULLIETTE NOZZLE Filed April 19, 1951 V32 FIG.3

19 2O 42 j Wi l FIG. 4 ''v" l u.

:c L' 'a y INVENTOR Patented July 28, 1953 NOZZLE James H. Coulliette,Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to Industrial Research Institute of theUniversity of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Application April 19, 1951, Serial No. 221,757

This invention relates to fluid control devices and particularly to aspray nozzle.

In humidiiers and other similar devices it is often desirable to controlthe nozzle from a distance, or to provide automatic control. Magnetic ormotor driven valves have been used for regulating uid ow, as well asother complicated mechanisms.

It is an object, therefore, to provide a humidier or other nozzle forcontrolling spray of a iluid, with simple and relatively inexpensiveconstruction.

Another object is to provide a humidifier or similar nozzle which isresponsive to temperature change.

A further object is to provide a nozzle which can be regulated byapplication of heat.

An additional object is to provide a heated nozzle for regulatingviscosity of a iluid passing therethrough.

Other objects will appear in the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a nozzle and heating element, andshowing a connected humidistat.

Figure 2 is a part sectional elevation of a nozzle having a snap-actionbimetal valve element.

Figure 3 is a part sectional elevation of a nozzle having a rotary valveand helical bimetal control element.

Figure 4 is a part sectional elevation of a nozzle having a heatinsulated snap-action bimetal control element for a valve.

Figure l shows a sectional elevation of a nozzle and heating coil,showing features of my invention. Brass or other metal coupling I hasinternal threads 2 and integral hexagonal shoulder 3 which may begripped by a wrench for screwing coupling I on a threaded pipe supplyingwater or other uid. Coupling I is attached, by molding or otherwise, toannular sleeve 4 of ceramic or other heat insulation material threadedinternally and externally as shown. Tube or pipe 5, having externalthreads 6 at one end, is screwed into the internal threadsof sleeve 4,providing a leak-proof t. A suitable packing washer I may be used ifdesired. Tube may be of iron, brass, stainless steel, or of othersuitable metal but preferably is made of material having a relativelylow coeicient of expansion. Glass or other similar material could beused and heat insulation material may be packed in the space between theconduit and the casing.

The other end of tube 5 is shaped to t snugly 4 Claims. (Cl. 299-144)against internal dome 8 comprising an end portion of cylinder 9 theother end of which is threaded internally and is screwed tightly ontothe outer threaded portion of sleeve 4. Packing washer I0 may beprovided to prevent leakage. Cylinder 9 is made of aluminum or othermetal having a high coefficient of expansion and has a plurality ofsmall holes or narrow slots l I around the periphery and aligned todirect spray in the desired manner. As shown, these openings are alignedsubstantially parallel with the contour of dome 8 at its edge. portscould be provided in element 8 and can be directed parallel with theaxis of the coaxial tube 5 and cylinder 9, or at any desired angle orangles.

Annular heating element I2 is suitably attached around cylinder 9 andcomprises Nichrome or other electrical resistance wire I3 embedded inceramic or other insulating heat resistant material I4 which may beporcelain, magnesium oxide or the like, molded, bonded, or compressedinto a unitary structure. While attached sleeve 4 is shown, this sleevecould be of metal, integral withcoupling I.

In operation, coupling I is screwed onto a suitable fluid supply pipe,not shown, and the terminals of resistance heating element I3 areConnected, to a suitable source of electric current. The heat producedin element I2 will then cause heating of cylinder 9 which expands,thereby moving dome 8 away from the normally closely fitting end of tube5 so that water or other fluid in tube 5 will ow rapidly through the gapbetween the tube and dome, and through openings II, forming a spray.When it is desired to stop the ow of fluid the electrical circuitincluding wire I3 is opened so that the heating unit I2 and cylinder 9are cooled. This results in contraction of the cylinder 9 which causesdome 8 to be pulled tightly against the end of tube 5, and accordinglystops iiow of the water or other fluid. If desired, band I5 of syntheticrubber, silicone plastic, lead, or other soft material can be attachedto or imbedded in dome B to provide a leak-proof seal. The sealingpressure at predetermined temperature can be adjusted by screwing tube 5into or out of threaded sleeve 4. Element I5 if of yrubber or the likewill also provide heat insulation between tube 5 and dome 8.

This nozzle has a temperature-responsive feature, which can be used toadvantage in humidiers and similar devices. If humidistat I6, having anelectrical switch, is connected in series with electrical supply lines II-IB and element Obviously openings or |3, then the humidistat switchwill be closed, thereby supplying current to the heating wire I3 whenthe humidity is low. Accordingly, expansion of cylinder 9 will occur andthe nozzle will spray water until the humidity is brought up to thedesired value. When this occurs the huinidistat opens its switch andcurrent is cut off from the heating elemen I This nozzle can also beused as an automatic temperature control without element l2. In thatcase, c linder to escpe from openings as described when the temperaturerises above a predetermined value. The spray cools the air or othermedium adjacent the nozzle and the cylinder therefore contracts andstops the iow of water at predetermined lower temperature. Adjustmentfor temperatur-e may be effected by turning tube 5'so it is movedrelative to dome 8, or similarly, cylinder 9 may be moved axially byrotating it around the outer threads on sleeve 4. t

that it Another advantage of the invention is spray certain substanceslike ormally solid. The heat from element |2 can be sufficient to meltthe wax or other solid or it may be effective in reducing the viscosityof a naturally viscous medium like paint, lacquer, or other substances.This device may also be used for spraying insecticides. It has theadvantage that the flow may C tri-cally at the nozzle so that excessivedrainage does not occur when the flow is stopped. This simple type ofdistance control makes the device likewise very useful in manyindustrial applications.

It will be noted that the fluid is atomized twice, once when passingthrough the gap between tube 5 and element passing through openings I l.tends to produce a fine spray.

This nozzle is also useful in sprinkler systems for extinguishing fires.A plurality of the nozzles may be screwed into a water supply pipe orpipes at strategic locations over a building or other object to beprotected. If a fire occurs near a nozzle or if it becomes overheatedfrom any cause, the outside cylinder will expand so that a spray f waterwill be dis-charged. This spray will continue as long as the nozzle isheated beyond the pre-set closing temperature. After the fire isextinguished the nozzle will become relatively cool and therefore willautomatically stop the dis,- charge of water. This automatic closingfeature is very desirable since prior sprinkler heads or nozzles haveallowed copious discharge of water even though a fire may have beenextinguished.

In Figure 2, threaded coupling I9 has shoulder 2D which may have anhexagonal perimeter. Tube 2| is integral with shoulder 20 and has asmooth end shaped so that bimetal disc 22, when cooler than apredetermined temperature, will press tightly against the edge of tube2| to seal the junction against leakage of water or other fluid whichmay be supplied to the tube from a pipe or tank to which coupling I9 maybe connected. The edge of tube 2| may -comprise ring 23 of soft materiallike lead, silicone plastic, or the like, in order to provide goodsealing action. The ring can be attached by cement, screws, or lbybonding otherwise. Lug 24 extends radially in-V ward from tube 2| andhas an axially aligned threaded hole therein. Screw 25 is passed througha central hole in bimetal disc 22 and is screwed into the hole in thelug in order to clamp waxes which are n This double action be controlledelecl and again whenv S expands and allows a water spray v 4 the disc inthe position shown, sealing the end of tube 2| against flow of fluidtherefrom.

Raised, threaded ring 26 may be integral with tube 2| and threaded cap21 is screwed onto ring 26. This cap has small holes 28 directedgenerally toward the axis or in any desired direction. If desired,central opening 29 may also be provided in the cap and the inclinedportion 30 will actas a stop for disc 22 when it snaps outward. Theportion 3|] can act as a seal to prevent ow of fluid through opening 29,if this is desired. The opening 29 serves a useful purpose in that itallows a heated medium like air or flame to come directly into contactwith the heat responsive bimetal disc. The effective area of dischargefor the fluid can be regulated by screwing the cap on ring 26 todifferent positions. If stop element 30 is brought nearer to the discthe discharge opening will be less. While the bimetal disc is shown assealing against pressure, it may be placed inside an internally flangedtube so that the fluid pressure will help to press the disc against theflange to seal against fluid flow. Sufficient temperature rise will thencause the disc to snap inward and so to open a discharge gap, the tubebeing of larger internal diameter thanthe diameter of the disc.

In operation, assuming that the device is connected to a water supplysystem, for instance, the water will be prevented from flowing until thetemperature rises to a pre-set value at which time bimetal disc 22 willsnap outward until it strikes stop 30.

. Water will then be forced out of the gap between the element 23 andthe disc. When the temperature of the disc cools suiciently the bimetaldisc will snap back to closing position and so will stop the ow ofwater. This device is useful as an automatic sprinkler head forextinguishing fires and then stopping water iiow after the fire isquenched.

In Figure 3, like parts are given similar numerals as in Figure 2. Inthis modification of the invention cylindrical cup-like valve 30a isrotatable in tube 2|, a close fit being provided to prevent leakage. Aplurality of holes or channels 3| in the end piece 35 of element 30a arearranged Vso that they normally are out of registerl with channels 32 inend piece 33 of tube 2|. In the position shown, therefore, the valve isclosed and no water or other uid will flow therethrough. Round rod orshaft 34 is attached coaxially to the end piece 35 and extends through ahole in end piece 33 so that valve 30a may be rotated by means of theattached rod. Helical bimetal element 36 surrounds rod 34 and has oneend attached to end piece 33, the other end being attached to theextended end of rod 34.

In operation, bimetal element 36 normally holds valve 30a in closedposition but if this element is heated above a predetermined temperatureit will twist through an angle suiicient to bring channels 3| intoregister with channels 32 and so Water in pipe 2| under pressure willrush through the latter channels formingy a spray. Upon cooling, element36 will again close the valve. VAdvantages of this -construction arethat the valve can be turned freely even under heavy fluid pressure, andbimetal element 36, due vto its relatively large area and number ofturns, can be made quite sensitive. Pin 31 extending from rod 34 willstrike pin 38 extending from end piece 33 so that the rotation of valve30a will be stopped when channels 3| and 32 are in alignment. Anotherpin attached to end piece 33 can be used to limit reverse rotation ofthe valve, for lower temperatures.

In Figure 4, tube 2l has internal valve seat 39 against which Valve 40is pressed by attached stem 4l which may be of ceramics, plastics, orother material of poor heat conductivity. End tube I42 may likewise beof plastic like teflon or it may be of ceramic material. Snap-actionbimetal disc 22 is seated in the end of tube 42 which may be screwedonto tube 2| as indicated. This disc is held in place by perforatedthreaded cap 43 which forms a spray when valve 40 is snapped to theright by stem 4I which is fastened centrally to disc 22. The heatinsulation material prevents the temperature of the fluid in tube 2lfrom inuencing appreciably the operation of bimetal element 22. Thiselement snaps to the left when cool, to force valve 40 against seat 39with sufficient pressure to prevent leakage and it snaps to the right toopen the valve when the temperature of element 22 rises above apredetermined value.

The nozzles or spray heads shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be used insprinkler systems for extinguishing fires, or for many other purposes.

Numerous modications and changes of detail can be made without departingfrom the general principles of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a nozzle, means including material of relatively poor heatconductivity for connecting with a source of fluid, an inner conduit forsaid fluid attached to said material, an outer casing member attached tosaid material and surrounding said inner conduit and spaced therefrom, a

portion of said casing member acting as a valve to seal said conduitagainst fluid flow therethrough when Said outer casing member contractssuiciently with change of temperature, said casing member having anopening therein for discharge of said fluid.

2. The device of claim 1, and means for heating said casing member.

3. The device of claim 1, said valve including material of poor heatconductivity in contact with said inner conduit.

4. The device of claim 1, said inner conduit being of material ofrelatively poor heat conductivity.

JAMES H. COULLIETTE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 87,181 Massey Feb. 23, 1869 208,962 Crosby Oct. 15, 1878306,352 Prentiss Oct. 7, 1884 735,756 Grimsley Aug. l1, 1903 1,697,432Martin Jan. 1, 1929 2,083,780 Gille June 15, 1937 2,136,460 Peteler Nov.15, 1938 2,241,086 Gould May 6, 1941 2,285,305 Reid June 2, 19422,462,198 Johnson Feb. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date325,302 France Apr. 25, 1903 219,021 Great Britain Apr. 9, 1925

